Rack

ABSTRACT

A storage Rack to hold and display DVD, CD, VHS Tapes, Backup Tapes and other items. The item is held within a hanger that can be customized to fit the item held. The hanger is attached to a hub that sets on a collar which is slide unto a shaft. The shaft is attached to a base. The hangers can be of different sizes and mixed on the hub allowing a variety of items to be hung on the hub. The shaft, collar, hub, base, and hanger can be made of different materials such as plastic, metal or wood. The different materials can be mixed; shaft, collar, hub, base and hanger can be of different materials within a single assembly. The hangers hang in a vertical position to the shaft with the base being placed on a floor or attached to a ceiling. The diameter of the base, hub, collar, and shaft can be adjusted to hold more/less items within a 360° circle. The height of the shaft can be adjusted to hold more/less collars, hubs in which the hangers are attached, allowing more/less items to be held. This configuration allows for the hub to rotate around the shaft and the attached hangers to swing within the hub allowing easy visibility of both sides of the item held and the leading edge of the item to distinguish the item wanted prior to removing item from the hanger.

This application claims to priority to provisional application 61/228,881 filed Jul. 27, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the storage and display of items such as DVD, CD ROM, VHS Tapes, Floppies, Backup Tapes, and Jewel Cases for consumers/retailers to easily identify the item prior to removing the item from the hanger.

2. Description of Prior Art

The need for storage of DVD, CD ROM, VHS Tapes, Floppies, Backup Tapes, and Jewel Cases have exponentially increased with the advent of digital data such as software, music, and data.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,306 by Factor shows a flat panel mounted to a wall requiring movement of the CD to make the front / back of the CD to be visible.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,819 by Moeken shows the CD's being held between rigid slots that hold the CD horizontal to the floor.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,086 by Chen shows an open box frame to hold the CD's

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,397 by Cheng shows a flat panel with hinged CD holders that have to be moved to allow visibility of the front back of the CD.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,270 by Bezos shows a display of one side of the CD mounted on a wall.

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,875 by Schonning shows a modular system of stacked CD's that have to be moved away from the stack to have visibility of the CD

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,766,910 by Kelly shows a cylindrical system of displaying CD's horizontally to the floor also requiring movement of the CD to make the CD visible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention allows for the free 360° rotation of the items held in the hangers. The hangers are attached to a hub [allowing the hanger to swing side to side and held vertically to the shaft. The hangers are interchangeable; they can be removed from the hub and replaced with a different size hanger to hold a different item on the same hub. The hangers hang vertically [not horizontally] to the base that is attached to the floor or ceiling.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the Rack fully populated with DVD jewel cases (6)

FIG. 2 shows the Collar (3) that slides over the Shaft (2) and the Hub (4) which hangers (5) are attached

FIG. 3 shows the Collar (3) that slides over the Shaft (2) and the Hub (4) with the Hangers (5) attached and CD/DVD jewel cases (6) inserted into the Hanger (5)

FIG. 4 shows a view from the bottom of the Rack. The Base (1) with the Shaft (2) attached to the Base (1). The Hangers (5) as they are vertical attached to the Shaft (2) by the Hub (4) and the Brace (7) used to attach to a wall for stability.

FIG. 5 shows a view from the top of the Rack. The Brace (7) as it is attached to the top of the Shaft (2) with the Hub (4) sitting on the Collar (3) that is slid over the Shaft (2). The Hangers (5) are attached to the Hub (4) with the DVD/CD jewel cases (6) inserted into the Hangers (5). The base (1) is visible at the bottom of the Rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1 the Rack is fully assembled and stocked with DVD/CD jewel cases (6) that are inserted into the Hangers (5). The Hangers (5) are attached to the Hub (4) that sits on a Collar (3) that is slid over the Shaft (2). The Shaft (2) is attached to the Base (1) and a Brace (7) at the top of the Shaft (2) used for stability.

As shown in FIG. 2 the Collar (3) has mounting holes to secure the Collar (3) to the Shaft (2). This can allow for the Collar (3) to be set at adjustable heights along the length of the Shaft (2), so if you have different items being hung, such as CD's in one hub, and DVD's below or above, the row of CD's can be moved closer or farther apart. The Hub (4) is set over the Collar (3) which allows the Hub to freely rotate 360° and a Collar (3) inserted into the top of the Hub (4). The Hub (4) has holes situated around the circumference which the Hangers (5) are attached. This allows the Hangers (5) to swing side to side, which allows for the visibility of the front and back of DVD/CD Jewel Cases (6).

As shown in FIG. 3 the Hub (4) has the Collar (3) inserted which allows the hub to rotate 360° around the Shaft (2). The Hangers (5) are attached to the Hub (4) holding the Hangers (5) in a vertical position to the Shaft (2). The Hangers (5) are allowed to swing side to side increasing the visibility of the DVD/CD jewel cases (6) front/back and leading edge covers. As the circumference of the Hub (4) increases or decreases, the more or less Hangers (5) that can be attached to the Hub (4).

As shown in FIG. 4 the view from the bottom of the Rack shows the Base (1) and attached Shaft (2). The edge of the Hangers (5) lines up with the edge of the Base (1) and shows the Brace (7) that is attached to the top of the Shaft (2). The Base (1), Shaft (2) and the Brace (7) can be resized (circumference increased or decreased) to accommodate more or less Hangers (5).

As shown in FIG. 5 the view from the top of the Rack shows the Brace (7) attached to the Shaft (2). The Collar (3) and Hub (4) attached around the Shaft (2). The DVD/CD jewel cases (6) setting inside the Hanger (5) that is attached to the Hub (4) and the Base (1) is visible. 

1. A modular system for holding items such as cylindrical disks that are purchased in jewel cases, VHS Tapes which are square or any item that is searched within a storage unit for the use of consumers use or purchase that allows for easy visibility of the item prior to removal from the storage system.
 2. The common type of storage for items requires the consumer or purchaser to partially remove the item prior to identifying if the item is the desired item wanted. This Rack only requires the consumer/purchaser to move the hanger holding the item to identify the item within the hanger.
 3. The common type of storage of items are contained inside a cabinet or held by metal rungs which allow only the leading edge of the item to be visible. This Rack allows for both sides and the leading edge of the item to be visible.
 4. The leading edge of the item if not properly marked leads to the complete removal of the item prior to the consumer/purchaser knowing if it is the desired item wanted. This leads to an excess of time used in determining if the item is the desired item. This Rack allows for visibility of both sides and leading edge in identifying the item prior to removal.
 5. The space used in common storage types such as cabinets or the metal CD racks makes the use of living space or retailer display to be wasted. This Rack can be sized from floor to ceiling to efficiently use living space or retailer space. 